STEENS — Elizabeth Easterling fared pretty well Wednesday for someone who felt she was going to be on “the bottom of the food chain.”
The Columbus Christian Academy senior thought she might be a little out of place at the annual Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) All-Star game because she started playing soccer when she was 14 years old. Turns out Easterling and CCA teammate Celia Peal were right at home with the rest of the state’s best who turned out for the match at Jackson Prep.
“The level of competition was a lot higher than I was originally expecting,” Easterling said. “I ended up playing OK, so that is good.”
The CCA seniors were two of six local players who participated in the annual event. Peal played on the Blue team, while Easterling was on the White team in the 1-1 tie. Heritage Academy’s Anna Acker and Haley Barker also were on the Blue team. Starkville Academy’s Lake Little and Ellis Ann Jackson also participated in the game. Starkville Academy coach Matthew Tremblay led the White team.
“I did all right,” said Peal, who is a member of the school’s cheerleading squad and girls basketball team and competes in track and field. “It wasn’t my best, but it was a good experience, so I am really glad I went.”
Easterling started her soccer career at CCA as an eighth-grader. In that time, she has played almost every position. This past season, she played left center back. She said she started to play soccer after the school’s coach encouraged her to come out and play because she thought her height would serve her well as a goalkeeper. Turns out Easterling didn’t wind up playing goalkeeper.
“There was an older girl who played a lot better than I did, so I just was kind of stuck anywhere and everywhere,” said Easterling, who also is a varsity cheerleader and a member of the school’s girls basketball team. She said she realizes the significance of playing with some of the top players in the state, but it hasn’t hit her that her soccer
“It is weird. I feel like I am in a gray area,” Easterling said. “I am not quite sure what to do.”
Easterling said she plans to attend Mississippi State and to major in speech pathology. She said she would examine the possibilities of playing intramural soccer when she arrives in Starkville.
Peal, who played soccer for four years at CCA, played right midfielder in the All-Star game.
Peal said she is considering attending East Mississippi Community College in Scooba or MSU. She said she doesn’t think she will play sports in college. She hopes to study dentistry and then go to dental school.
“I just realize the importance of giving it your all every game because your last game is your last game,” Peal said.
Peal acknowledged she was intimidated, so she felt she “held back” a little bit. She said the game will serve as motivation for basketball and track and field seasons so she won’t do the same things again.
If they both get a chance to participate in another All-Star event, Easterling and Peal hope they will be on the same team.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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